Multimodality imaging of developmental splenic anomalies: tips and pitfalls.

Anomalies in number and location may occur during splenic development. This review aims to offer a brief overview of splenic function and embryology and a detailed account of the imaging appearances using different imaging techniques of the normal spleen and various congenital splenic anomalies including (1) abnormal viscero-atrial situs, (2) splenogonadal fusion, (3) intrapancreatic accessory spleen, (4) wandering spleen, and (5) splenosis. Emphasis is placed on the salient features that help radiologists recognise important associations (e.g., asplenia/polysplenia in situs abnormalities), avoid diagnostic pitfalls (e.g., mistaking intrapancreatic accessory spleen as pancreatic neoplasms), and potential complications (e.g., acute torsion in wandering spleen). The correct identification of the said anomalies from more sinister causes, such as malignancies, are essential, where early intervention is necessary.

Effect of milk protein intake and casein-to-whey ratio in breakfast meals on postprandial glucose, satiety ratings, and subsequent meal intake.

Whey and casein proteins differentially affect postprandial blood glucose and satiety mechanisms, with relevance for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of the casein-to-whey protein ratio and total protein concentration of milks consumed with cereal on postprandial blood glucose, appetite ratings, and subsequent food intake in a randomized, controlled, double-blinded study with healthy young adults (n = 32, 23.4 ± 3.1 yr, body mass index = 22.2 ± 2.5 kg/m2). Fasted participants consumed milk (250 mL) with either 80:20 or 40:60 (modified) casein-to-whey protein ratios at commercially normal (3.1%, wt) or high protein (9.3%, wt) concentration, or control (water with whey permeate), each along with 2 servings of oat-based breakfast cereal. Blood glucose concentrations were determined from finger prick blood samples and appetite was assessed using visual analog scales. Participants consumed a measured ad libitum pizza lunch at 120 min and blood glucose determination and appetite assessment continued following the lunch meal (140-200 min) to observe the second meal effect. Pre-lunch (0-120 min) incremental area under the curve (iAUC) and mean change from baseline blood glucose were reduced with consumption of all milk treatments relative to control. However, we found no differences between all treatments on pre-lunch appetite change from baseline and total area under the curve (tAUC) or lunch meal food intake. In terms of protein concentration results, high protein (9.3%, wt) treatments contrasted to normal protein (3.1%, wt) treatments lowered blood glucose change from baseline and iAUC, and post-lunch appetite change from baseline and tAUC. Protein ratio showed a modest effect in that modified (40:60) protein ratio lowered pre-lunch blood glucose change from baseline but not iAUC, and normal (80:20) protein ratio lowered pre-lunch appetite change from baseline but not tAUC. Therefore, high-carbohydrate breakfast meals with increased protein concentration (9.3%, wt) could be a dietary strategy for the attenuation of blood glucose and improved satiety ratings after the second meal.

Elongated Appearance of Meckel's Diverticulum on 99mTcO4 Scintigraphy.

A Meckel's scintigraphy using TcO4 was performed in a 9-year-old boy. The images revealed an elongated abnormal radiotracer accumulation in the right abdomen, which was confirmed as Meckel diverticulum combined with an omphalomesenteric cyst.

Phonon-mediated back-action of a charge readout on a double quantum dot.

Quantum point contacts are in use as an on-chip capacitative readout for the charge state of quantum dot systems. Here we investigate experimentally the back-action of quantum point contacts (QPCs) on a nearby double quantum dot (DQD). Driving current through a QPC influences the DQD state and leads to a measurable current flow in the DQD circuit with no bias voltage applied. The responsible mechanism is an indirect back-action process due to ohmic heating of the phonon bath. The system behaves like a thermoelectric engine, where a temperature gradient between the phonon bath and the electronic bath generates work observable as a measurable current flowing through the DQD.

Prospective delivery of reliably dated term infants of diabetic mothers without determination of fetal lung maturity: comparison to historical control.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether omitting fetal lung maturity (FLM) testing prior to delivery in term pregnancies complicated by gestational (GDM) and pregestational diabetes mellitus would increase the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). METHODS: In a 2-year study (1990-91), 1,457 pregnant women with accurately dated pregnancies were enrolled after 37 completed weeks and prospectively followed through delivery without FLM testing (study group). The prevalence of RDS and other neonatal outcomes was compared with a historical control group (n = 713, 1988-89) who had undergone determination of lecithin/sphingomyclin ratio prior to delivery at term. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of RDS. RESULTS: The study group compared to the control group had less severe diabetes: diet-controlled GDM, 35% vs. 18%, respectively; insulin-requiring GDM, 42% vs. 42%, respectively; undiagnosed type-2 diabetes, 14% vs. 31%, respectively; and pre-existing diabetes, 9.6% vs. 8.8%, respectively, p < 0.001. RDS rates in the study group (0.8%) and control group (1.0%) were not significantly different, nor were rates of resuscitation at delivery, neonatal intensive care admission or hospitalization days. Logistic regression analysis found only Cesarean delivery to be independently predictive (adjusted OR 2.21, 95% CI 2.04-2.27) of RDS. Non-predictive variables included FLM testing, diabetic classification, insulin use, poor third-trimester glycemic control, chronic hypertension, pre-eclampsia, labor, neonatal gender, gestational age or large-for-gestational-age fetuses. CONCLUSIONS: Routine FLM testing did not change the RDS prevalence in reliably dated, term infants of diabetic mothers and should be abandoned. Delivery by Cesarean section was associated with increased RDS.

Design of peptides with high affinities for heparin and endothelial cell proteoglycans.

Proteoglycan-binding peptides were designed based on consensus sequences in heparin-binding proteins: XBBXBX and XBBBXXBX, where X and B are hydropathic and basic residues, respectively. Initial peptide constructs included (AKKARA)(n) and (ARKKAAKA)(n) (n = 1-6). Affinity coelectrophoresis revealed that low M(r) peptides (600-1,300) had no affinities for low M(r) heparin, but higher M(r) peptides (2,000-3,500) exhibited significant affinities (K(d) congruent with 50-150 nM), which increased with peptide M(r). Affinity was strongest when sequence arrays were contiguous and alanines and arginines occupied hydropathic and basic positions, but inclusion of prolines was disruptive. A peptide including a single consensus sequence of the serglycin proteoglycan core protein bound heparin strongly (K(d) congruent with 200 nM), likely owing to dimerization through cysteine-cysteine linkages. Circular dichroism showed that high affinity heparin-binding peptides converted from a charged coil to an alpha-helix upon heparin addition, whereas weak heparin-binding peptides did not. Higher M(r) peptides exhibited high affinities for total endothelial cell proteoglycans (K(d) congruent with 300 nM), and approximately 4-fold weaker affinities for their free glycosaminoglycan chains. Thus, peptides including concatamers of heparin-binding consensus sequences may exhibit strong affinities for heparin and proteoglycans. Such peptides may be applicable in promoting cell-substratum adhesion or in the design of drugs targeted to proteoglycan-containing cell surfaces and extracellular matrices.